Fluid pressure control mechanism



March 20, 1945.

ENGXNE W. A. EATON M as 5, INVENTOR. Wi lfrclA.Eal 01p ATTORNEYS FLUID PRESSURE CONTROL MECHANISM Wilfred a. Eaton, Elyria, Ohio, asslrnor to Ben (fix-Westinghouse Automotive Air Brake Company, Elyria, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application February 17, 1944, Serial No. 522,824

A Patented Mar. 20, 1945 15 Claims. ('Cl. 137-139) This invention relates to fluid pressure controlling apparatus and more particularly to mechanism for remotely controlling the throttle valve of an internal combustion engine.

Various constructions have heretofore. been proposed for remotely controlling the throttle of an internal combustion engine, and some of these devices have been controlled by means of complicated mechanical linkages, as well as by hydraulic fluid lines or by compressed air. In cases where a source offluid pressure is available on the vehicle, it is highly desirable to use this source of energy for operating various controls of the vehicle including the throttle valve. Among the problems presented in compressed air installations, as well as other fluid pressure operated installations, however, is that of securing proper control of the throttle valve when the pressure in the system has been depleted after the .vehicle has been standing stationary for a considerable period of time. It is essential that the system be so constituted as to permit the throttle valve to be partially opened when starting the engine, and

.the above referred to depletion of the fluid pressure supply has rendered this impossible in certain'previously proposed systems. It'is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide fluid pressure operated throttle valve control mechanism so constituted as to automatically open the throttle valve a predetermined amount whenever the pressure in the fluid pressure supply system is depleted to a point where the operator has no direct control of the operation of the throttle valve by the throttle control mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a throttle controlling system adapted to be controlled by compressedair in such a manner that the engine speed may be increased beyond its normal idling speed regardless of the fact that no compressed air is present in the system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein the engine throttle is automatically advanced when the pressure in the compressed air system drops to a predetermined value.

Still another object is to provide a compressed air or fluid pressure operated throttle controlling system which will be positive and simple in construction and operation, and which will automatically control the engine throttle to the end that the engine may be operated at a speed above idling speed to secure a rapid build up of pressure in the fluid pressure system prior to starting of the vehicle.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is employed for purposes of illustration only and is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this latter purpose to the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, the single flgure therein illustrates the present invention in diagrammatic form, with certain parts being shown in section. More particularly, the drawing illustrates an engine 4 having an intake manifold 5 and a throttle valve} mounted therein adapted to be operated through the medium of a throttle lever land a-tiirottle rod or link 8. The vehicle is provided with afluld pressure reservoir 9 supplied with fluid pressure through a conduit ID from a suitable compressor, not shown, and the fluid pressure stored in the reservoir is utilized to control the operation of a throttle cylinder ll, fluid pressure being supplied to the cylinder through conduits l2 and I3 connected respectively with the reservoir and the motor H and interconnected by means of an operators selflapping control valve It. The self-lapping fluid pressure control valve l4 may be generally of the type shown in the patent to Wilfred A. Eaton, No. 2,204,530,dated June 11, 1940, and is provided with a casing l5 having an inlet chamber i6 connected with the conduit l2, an outlet chamber ll connected with the-conduit l3, together with inlet and exhaust valves l8 and I9 controlled by means of a pressure responsive diaphragm 20 and a graduating spring 2|, as is common practice in connection with valves of this general type. The upper portion of the casing is provided with a control pedal 22 pivotally mounted on a pin 23 carried by the casing and is provided with an adjusting screw 24 which is connected with the upper end of the graduating spring 2| by means of a plunger 25 slidably mounted in the casing, retrograde action of the pedal from the position shown being prevented by means of a suitable stop 26 formed on the casing. For reasons to be described later, the screw is preferably adjusted in such a manner as to compress the graduating spring when the pedal is in released position sufliciently to cause the valve mechanism to supply'a small pressure to the conduit 13 whenever the reservoir is charged with fluid. On downward movement of the pedal, the graduating spring is further compressed resulting in opening of the inlet valve l8 to admit additional fluid to the conduit i3 until such time as the increased pressure in the conduit l3 and in the outlet chamber I1 is sufficient to force the diaphragm upward against the increased force xerted by the graduating spring, at which time the valve will again lap, and be effective to maintain this pressure in the conduit l3 until the pedal is moved to a new position.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that with the reservoir charged with fluid pressure, the valve I4 is so adjusted as to maintain a predetermined pressure in the conduit It at all times, the inlet and exhaust valves l8 and i8 thus being normally in closed position when the reservoir is charged and the operating pedal is in released position. The fluid motor II- is provided with a cylinder 21 having a piston 28 slidably mounted therein and urged downward by means of a spring 29 interposed between the upper end of the piston and the wall of a bracket 30 which threadedly receives the upper end of the cylinder. 'A piston rod 9| is connected with the piston and is connected at its upper end with an operating lever 32 by means ofa link 33 pivotally connected respectively to the piston rod and lever as shown. The, lever 32 is provided with upwardly and downwardly extending arms 34 and 35 having notches 36 and 31 adapted respectively to pivot about pins 38 and 39 carried by a portion 01 the bracket 30. A throttle operating rod 40 is slidably mounted in the left portion 01' the bracket, its right end being urged against the left side of the lever by means of a spring 4! interposed between a shoulder 42 formed on the rod and a stationary bracket 43 mounted on some suitable portion ofthe vehicle, the rod 40 thus acting to normally maintain the notches 36 and 31 of the lever arms 34 and 35 firmly against the pins 38 and 39. With the lever in the above described position, the length of the link 8 is so chosen as to maintain the throttle in engine idling position, it being apparent that pivoting of the lever 32 about either of the pins 38 or 3.9 will cause the rod 40 to move to the left and move the throttle lever I in a clockwise direction to openthe throttle valve, by virtue of its pivotal connection 44 with the link. Since the piston 28 is connected to the lever 32 as shown, it will beclear that movement of the piston in either direction from the position shown will serve to move the rod 40 to the left to open the throttle valve and increase the speed of the engine.

As heretofore stated, the valve I4 is adjusted to normally supply a predetermined pressure to the cylinder when the control pedal is in released position, and the tension of the spring 29 in the motor cylinder is so chosen as to maintain the piston in the position shown against this pressure. Thus an increase in pressure in the cylinder 21, such as occurs when the pedal 22 is depressed, will move the piston upward against the tension of the spring 29 to cause the lever 32 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 39 to move the rod 40 to the left and open the throttle valve, while a drop in pressure in the cylinder 21 will cause the spring 29 to move the piston downward, whereupon the lever 32 will rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 38 in order to move the rod 40 to the left to open the throttle valve. Since it may be desirable to adjust the degree to which the throttle valve may be opened, when the piston moves downward due to the variations of pressure in the conduit l3, an adjusting screw 45 is threadedly received in a boss 46 formed on a portion of the bracket member 3|], and serves to limit the degree of rotation of the lever 32 in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 38.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that on failure of the pressure'in the reservoir 9, there will be no pressure in the cylinder to oppose the downward movement of the piston under the action of the spring 29, and that consequently the piston will move downward to rotate the lever 32 about the pin 38 in order to open the throttle valve, the degree of throttle opening being controlled by adiustment of the screw 43. If the compressor on the vehicle is started, however, the pressure in the reservoir 8 will gradually increase. and this pressure will be likewise supplied to the cylinder until such time as the pressure in the outlet chamber ll of the valve I4 is sufllcient to overcome the initial compression of the graduating spring 2| which has been set to the desired value by adjustment of the screw 24. When this pressure is reached, the valves will move to lapped position, and any further increase in pressure in the reservoir will not be reflected in the pressure supplied to the motor through the conduit I3, and since the tension of the spring 29 is chosen to balance the pressure exerted by the piston 28 when thevalve i4 is in lapped position with the pedal released, the piston will move to the position shown, and will remain in that position until such time as the control pedal is depressed in order to supply additional fluid pressure to the motor. When additional fluid pressure is supplied to the motor in this manner, the piston will be moved upward against the tension of the spring 29 and the lever 32 will be rocked in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 39 in order to open the throttle valve an amount substantially proportional to the degree of depression of the control pedal, reverse movement of the control pedal serving to exhaust fluid pressure from the motor in order to permit the piston and its connected parts to return toward the position shown.

There has thus beenprovided by the present invention a fluid pressure operated throttle control mechanism which will automatically advance the throttle to a substantially open position irrespective of the fact that there is insuflicient fluid pressure in the system to secure advance of the throttle by manipulation of the manually operable control valve. The construction is compact, positively operable, and comprises relatively few parts so that its incorporation with remotely controlled engine throttle valves may be readily and easily effected. In addition to the foregoing, this novel remote control of the throttle valve is accomplished through the medium of a single connecting conduit without the necessity of providing complicated auxiliary mechanical linkage for effecting opening of thethrottle valve when the fluid pressure supply is depleted.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein with considerable particularity, it will be readily understood that the same is not limited to the form shown but is capable of a variety of expressions without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Reference will, therefore, be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Control mechanism for the throttle valve of an engine including a lever connected to the throttle having a throttle closing position and movable in either direction from said position to open the throttle, resilient means for moving said lever in one direction from said position, means including a pressure responsive member for moving the lever in the other direction, means including a self-lapping control valve having an operating control element for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said member, and means for adjusting said control valve to supply a predetermined pressure to said member when said control element is in released position, whereby the force exerted by said resilient means is balanced by the force exerted by said pressure responsive member and the lever is maintained in throttle closing position except when said predetermined pressure is increased or decreased.

2. Control mechanism for the throttle valve of an engine including a pressure responsive member having a neutral position, means connecting said member and throttle valve and operable on movement of the member in either direction from neutral position to open the throttle valve, resilient means for moving the member in one direction from neutral position, means for supplying fluid pressure to the member to move the latter in the opposite direction from neutral position including a self-lapping control valve having an operator's control element, and means for adjusting the control valve to supply suflicient pressure to the member to maintain the latter in neutral position against the force exerted by said resilient means when the operator's control element is in released position.

3. Control mechanism for the throttle valve of an engine including a pressure responsive member having a neutral position, means connecting said member and throttle and operable on movement of the member in either direction-from neutral position to open the throttle valve, means including a self-lapping valve having an operators control element for supplying fluid pressure to the member to move it in one direction from neutral position, means for adjusting said valve to supply a predetermined pressure to the member when the control element is in released position, and resilient means for opposing and preventing movement of said member in said one direction from neutral position in response to the application of said predetermined pressure thereto and for moving said member in the opposite direction when the pressure supplied thereto is less than said predetermined pressure.

4. Control mechanism for a control device including a power operated member having a neutral position, means connecting said member and device and operable on movement of said member in either direction from neutral position to move the device in one direction, means including a control element having a release position and power controlling means operated by said element for supplying power to said member increasing substantially in accordance with the degree of movement of said element from release position to move said member in one direction from neutral position, means for adjusting said power control means to supply a predetermined amount of power to the member when the element is in release position, and resilient means for opposing and preventing movement of said member in said one direction from neutral position in response to the application of said predetermined amount of power thereto and for moving said member in the opposite direction from neutral position when the power supplied thereto is less than said predetermined amount.

5. Control mechanism for a control device including a pressure responsive member having a neutral position, means connecting said member and device and operable on movement of said member in either direction from neutral position to move the device in one direction, means including a control valve having a control element for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said member and for increasing the pressure of fluid supplied to said member substantially in accordance with the degree of movement of said element from release position to move the member in one direction from neutral position, means for 'adlusting said control valve ,to supply a predetermined pressure to said member when the element is in release position, and resilient means for moving said member in the other direction from neutral position when the pressure supplied to said member by said valve is less than said predetermined pressure.

6. Control mechanism for a control device including a pressure responsive member having a neutral position, means connecting said member and device and operable on movement of said member in either direction from neutral position to move the device in one direction, means ineluding a control valve having a control element for controlling the supply or fluid pressure to said member and for increasing the pressure of fluid supplied to said member substantially in accordance with the degree of movement of said element from release position to move the member in one direction from neutral position, means for adjusting said control valve to supply a predetermined pressure to said member when the element is in release position, resilient means for moving said member in the other direction from neutral position when the pressure supplied to said member by said valve is reducedbelow said predetermined pressure, and adjustable means for limiting the degree of movement of said member in said other direction regardless of the degree of said pressure reduction.

7. Control mechanism for a control device having an 01! position and movable in one direction therefrom to other positions including a pair of spaced pivot pins, a lever mounted in engagement with said pins for rotation in one direction about one of said pins and in the opposite direction about the other pin, means connecting said lever and device for moving the latter in said one direction on rotation of the lever in either direction, resilient means associated with said connecting means for normally maintaining said device in said oif position and for normally maintaining said lever in engagement with both said pivot pins, and means for rotating said lever in one or the other of said directions about said pins to move said device in said one direction including a pressure responsive member for rotating the lever in one direction, means including a control valve operable to vary the pressure of fiuid supplied to said member and adjustable to normally supply a predetermined pressure to said member, and resilient means associated with said member, for moving the latter to rotate thelever in the other direction, said last named resilient means being so proportioned as to oppose and substantially balance the force exerted on said member by the application of said predetermined pressure thereto. v

8. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an oil control position and movable to other control positions, of fluid pressure control means for controlling the operation of said device including a pressure responsive memher having a neutral position, leverage mechanism for connecting said device and member for moving the device in one direction from said off position on movement of the member in either direction from neutral position, control valve mechanism operable to supply fluid at, varying pressures to said member for moving the latter in one direction from neutral position to move said device to said other positions, means for adiusting said-control valve mechanism to normally supply a predetermined pressure to said member. and means operable on failure of said pressuresupply for moving the member in the other direction from neutral position to move the device from said off position to one said control positions.

9. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an off control position and movable to other control positions, of fluid pressure control means for controlling the operation of said device including a pressure responsive member having a neutral position, leverage mechanism for connecting said device and member for moving the device in one direction from said 011 position on movement of the member in either direction from neutral position, control valve mechanism operable to supply fluid at varying pressures to said member for moving the latter in one direction from neutral position to move said device to said other positions, means for adjusting said control valve mechanism to normally supply a predetermined pressure to said member, means operable on failure of said pressure supply for moving the member in the other direction from neutral position to move the device from said off position to one of said control positions, and adjustable means cooperating with said leverage mechanism for determining said one position.

10. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an off control position and movable to other control positions, of fluid pressure control means for controlling the operation of said device including a pressure responsive member having a neutral position, leverage mechanism for connecting said device and member for moving the device in one direction from said off position on movement of the member in either direction from neutral position, control valve mechanism operable to supply fluid at varying pressures to said member for moving the latter in one direction from neutral position to move said device to said other positions, means for adjusting said control valve mechanism to normally supply a predetermined pressure to said member, resilient means operable on failure of said pressure supply for moving the member in the other direction from neutral position to move the device from said off position to one of said control positions, and adjustable means cooper.- ating with said leverage mechanism for limiting the movement of said leverage mechanism in response to movement of the member in said other direction from neutral position for determining said one position.

11. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an off control position and movable in one direction therefrom to a plurality of other control positions, of means for controling the operation of said device and moving said device from said off position to other of said positions including a pressure responsive member movable in either direction from'a neutral position and leverage mechanism connecting said member and device for moving the latter in said one direction from said off position on movement of the member in either direction from neutral position, means for normally supplydetermined pressure is supplied thereto and'for moving said member in the opposite direction from neutral position to move the deviceto a predetermined control position on failure of said fluid supplying means.

12. Fluid pressure control mechanism for a control device having an oil position and movable in one direction therefrom to other control positions including a fluid actuator having a pressure responsive member mounted therein for movement in either direction from a neutral position, means including leverage mechanism connecting said member and device and operable to move the device in said one direction on movement of themember in either direction from neutral position, fluid pressure supply means for supplying fluid pressure to said actuator to move the member in one of said directions from neutral position, and resiilent means for moving the member in the other direction from neutral position on failure of the supply means.

13. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an off position and movable in one direction therefrom to other control positions, of means for controlling the operation of said device including a lever having a neutral position and movable in either direction from neutral position to move said device in said one direction, means including resilient means for moving said lever in one direction from neutral position, and means for moving said lever in the opposite direction including a pressure responsive member and means for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said member.

14. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an of]? position and movable in one direction therefrom to other control positions, of means for controlling the operation of said device including an element connected therewith having a neutral position and movable in either direction from neutral position for moving said device in said one direction, means for moving the element in one direction from neutral position including a power responsive member connected thereto and means for supplying power to said member, and means for opposing movement of said element in said one direction and for moving the element in the other direction from neutral position on failure of the power supplying means.

15. The combination with a control device to be actuated having an oil position and movable in one direction therefrom to other positions, of means for controlling the operation of said device including an element connected therewith and movable in either direction from neutral position to move the device in said one direction, means for normally maintaining said element in neutral position including a fluid pressure actuator having a pressure responsive member connected with the element and mounted in the actuator for movement with the element in either direction from neutral position, resilient means for moving said member in one direction from neutral position, and means including a control valve for normally supplying a predetermined fluid pressure to the actuator to prevent movement of said member from neutral position in said one direction by the action of said resilient means, and means for adjusting said control valve to supply a different pressure to the member to move the latter in the opposite direction from neutral position.

WILFRED A. EATON. 

